Worship: July 7, 2019

Visitors: Welcome to our church. Please sign our guest book! If you do not have a church home, we pray that you will find one with us. We have large-print bulletins available, as well as hearing assistance devices. Please ask an usher if you require either of these. Restrooms are located in the church school building. Go through the door next to the choir loft, and straight ahead. We also have restrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Again, exit through the door next to the choir loft, turn left down the hall, and go down the steps.

We Gather In Awe And Wonder

Prelude

Announcements

Chime Interlude And Candle Lighting

Leader: Loving Spirit, you have chosen us to receive your light, and we light a candle as a sign of our gratitude.

All: Friend, Advocate, Guide—Lord Jesus you enfold us in your love, and we light a candle to celebrate your Presence, in which we rest.

Leader: Holy God, you have drawn us to your wonder, as you set your seal upon us in our baptism. We light a candle in amazement that you care for each and every one of us, as your own child.

All: We light three candles for the Holy Trinity that loves, redeems, and sustains us.

*Call To Worship

One: God invites us to listen for God in unexpected prophets.

Two: Come and listen for God.

One: God invites us to hear God’s voice in unexpected moments.

Two: Come and hear God’s voice.

One: God invites us to speak God’s name in unexpected places.

Two: Come and speak God’s name.

One: God invites us to come with God into every nook and cranny where the unexpected is hidden in every yet-to-be.

Two: Come, and worship God.

*Hymn: “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”………….……#338

*Invocation

One: O God, we come to the river’s edge for we need your touch, your healing, your restoration, for the journey we make through this world is long. O God, we come to the water’s edge, for there is no other place to go. We are broken, and we need wholeness again, for the journey we make through this world is lonely.

We Recognize Our Brokenness

Prayer Of Confession

One: O God, whom have we ignored? Endless questions from a child. . . Uninvited advice from an elder… Cries from the margins . . . We never expected the words of heaven to come from their mouths.

All: We had closed our minds, God. Open our hearts.

One: O God, whom have we ignored? People from a different culture. . . Someone speaking a different language. . . Those we condemn by association to religion, politics, income, appearance. . .

All: We had closed our minds, God. Open our hearts.

One: O God, whom have we ignored? The ones who we do not want as neighbors. . . Those of different genders, different lifestyles, and different opinions. . .

All: We had closed our minds, God. Open our hearts. Amen. (A time for silent prayers of confession.)

(Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.)

Our Offering: Our financial offering is one way that our members participate in the mission and ministry of this church. We thank you for your financial support. For those of you who are visiting, please feel no need to participate in the offering. This worship service is our gift to you.

One: Holy God, Your generosity to us calls out of us a response: in this place and in these plates, we offer a portion of our treasure, our talents, our time. . . even our very selves. Please bless our offerings. Use them to further your work among us, our community, and our world. Amen.

We Go Forth To Live Transformed lives

*Closing Hymn: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” ………..….#354

*Blessing

One: We set out on the journey once more,

All: taking only what we need.

One: We travel the streets of this town,

All: offering peace with every step.

One: We will share what we have with the people we meet,

All: offering them God’s blessing in every word. And we go now as God’s own people, unknown to the world but named in heaven, with good news on our lips, and renewed strength in our souls. Amen.

*Choral Benediction: “Arise, Your Light Is Come!”……………#744 vs 1

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.

Greeter And Bulletin Sponsorship Sign-Up Sheets for 2019 are on the credenza. v(Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday. Please place your remittance designated for Bulletins in the offering plate.)v

Pastoral Care Needs – Rev. George Heberling will be providing pastoral care over the summer months for those in need. Please call the church office at 717-677-8319 if you would like him to visit.

Vacation Bible School – Join us at Trinity Lutheran in Arendtsville on July 8 – 12 from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. for Vacation Bible School. There is no charge but a free-will offering will be taken.

Ladies’ Breakfast – The next Ladies’ Breakfast will be held Monday, July 8th, at the Apple Bin at 9:00 a.m. Please join us for lots of interesting conversation and much laughter. All are welcome. Instead of our normal breakfast gathering on Monday, August 12th, we will be going to Crumbs Café in Mt. Holly Springs for lunch. We will be carpooling from Biglerville at 11:00 a.m. Reservations are required for Crumbs Café, so the deadline to sign up with Sally will be Sunday, August 4th whether you are meeting us there or carpooling. Even if you don’t attend the breakfasts on a regular basis, come join us for lunch!

REACH – The REACH team will be leaving on Saturday, July 13th, for a week of service and mission to New York State. They will have an opportunity, not only to offer their labor for minor rehabilitation and improvement projects in the homes of those who need assistance but also to fellowship with other young people from churches around the whole east coast. Young people from Zion who are participating are: Ashlyn (5th year), Katelyn (5th year), Chance (2nd year), and Nick (5th year). Chris is accompanying the group as adult supervisor for the 5th year.. Attending from other Upper Adams Churches are: Tyler (St. Paul’s), Jordan, Joey, Gabby, and Nathaniel (Trinity Lutheran), Lukas and Hanna (Wenksville Lutheran), and Aaron, Mark, Jennifer, and Hannah (Gettysburg COB). We pray for a safe journey and a meaningful experience for each and all of them.

Confirmation – It’s time to begin planning for the Confirmation program which begins in September. All young people who have completed the 7th grade are invited to participate in this two-year program. If you know of anyone interested, please contact the church office as soon as possible so we can provide information and include them in this planning. Thank you.

Thrivent College Planning Workshop – Want to help your student get through college but still be able to retire comfortably? Come to a complimentary 60-minute college planning overview here at Zion to learn how to save money on college. Thrivent will be presenting in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, July 11th, at 6:00 pm. See the flyer on the credenza in the rear of church for more information.

Lancaster Theological Seminary – The seminary is offering a new, online ministerial leadership program designed for lay ministers, those considering a ministerial career, and individuals preparing for or seeking an alternative to a graduate theological degree. For more information or to apply, visit lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.